April 25, 2023
Some scientists estimate that native grasslands have declined by as much as 99 percent. By some estimates, this resulted in three billion fewer birds on the landscape than 50 years ago. This has harmed both the eastern meadowlark and the bobwhite which are
READ MORE
December 14, 2018 Art
Museums must constantly ask this crucial question: who do we serve? Last week during Art Basel Miami Beach, the answer became obvious to me. The Bass serves the people of Miami Beach, the broader South Florida community and art tourists. We serve them all simultaneously. Wednesday night the museum opened for Basel visitors and for […]
November 20, 2018 Environment
Carr Fire 2018, Bureau of Land Management California Image. Pictures and videos of large-scale fires are scary to look at and watch; seeing, feeling and hearing a real forest fire is much much scarier. At Coal Creek Farm in East Tennessee, we burn about 500 acres of woods and shrub each year. Flames can exceed […]
October 2, 2018 Environment
Ecotourism—including hobbies such as paddling, biking, hiking, and birdwatching—brings sustainable jobs and commerce to the region. This year is the 50th anniversary of The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This is the perfect moment to build on the successes of the past…
September 21, 2018 Art
In late 2004, I was working with Mattia Bonetti on designing some furniture for my house. He is as warm and friendly as they get, especially for a superstar designer. When I first met him I expected an air of importance, or stiff European formality. But that’s not Mattia. He is a lovely, soft-spoken family […]
September 12, 2018 Environment
I am currently fascinated by the concept of non-native and invasive species. When are non-natives bad? Always or sometimes? Invasive species are always bad. But sometimes non-natives can be good for you. Take the plant, Mullein, for example. It doesn’t belong in East Tennessee. It is originally from Europe and Asia. It makes excellent tea, […]